Shizuoka, Japan
Region: Shizuoka Prefecture
Geographic Coordinates: 34.975600, 138.383000
Temperature Range: 10.0°C to 30.0°C (50°F to 86°F)
Climate: Seasonal.
Population: 685589
Language: Japanese
Shizuoka is a prefecture located in the central part of Japan’s Honshu Island, Facing the Pacific Ocean. It is known for its stunning natural beauty, Rich cultural heritage, And delicious cuisine. The prefecture has a population of over 3.6 million people and covers an area of approximately 7, 779 square kilometers. One of the most famous attractions in Shizuoka is Mount Fuji, Which stands at 3, 776 meters tall and is considered one of Japan’s most sacred sites. Visitors can climb to its summit or enjoy breathtaking views from various observation points around the area.
Another popular destination in Shizuoka is Izu Peninsula, Which boasts beautiful beaches, Hot springs, And scenic hiking trails. The peninsula also has several historic towns like Shimoda that played significant roles during Japan’s opening to foreign trade in the mid-19th century. Shizuoka City itself serves as the capital city for this prefecture and offers visitors a mix of modernity with traditional culture through its museums such as Tokaido Hiroshige Art Museum showcasing ukiyo-e art from Edo period or Sunpu Castle Park where you can learn about samurai history while enjoying cherry blossoms during springtime.
The region also has a strong tea culture with green tea plantations covering vast areas across Shizuoka Prefecture. Tea lovers should not miss visiting places like Kawanehoncho or Makinohara where they can experience tea picking tours or participate in traditional Japanese tea ceremonies. In addition to these attractions mentioned above, Foodies will find plenty to indulge themselves with local delicacies such as eel dishes served with rice (unagi donburi), Deep-fried shrimp cakes (ebi-furai), Sushi made from fresh seafood caught along Suruga Bay coastlines. yet importantly are festivals that take place throughout the year in Shizuoka.
The most famous one is probably the Shimoda Black Ship Festival held every May, Commemorating the arrival of Commodore Perry’s fleet in 1854. Other notable events include Hamamatsu Kite Festival held in May and November, Or Atami Baien Ume Matsuri (plum blossom festival) during February-March. Shizuoka is a prefecture full of natural beauty, Cultural richness, And culinary delights. Visitors can enjoy scenic views of Mount Fuji and Izu Peninsula while immersing themselves in traditional Japanese culture through tea ceremonies or samurai history tours.
They can also indulge their taste buds with local delicacies such as eel dishes or sushi made from fresh seafood caught along Suruga Bay coastlines. With its diverse attractions and festivals throughout the year, Shizuoka has something for everyone to experience and enjoy!
- Mount Fuji
- Shizuoka Sengen Shrine
- Miho no Matsubara Pine Grove
- Sunpu Castle Park
- Nihondaira Zoo and Botanical Gardens
- Shimizu Port Tower
- Tokaido Hiroshige Museum of Art
- Shizuoka City Tokaido Hiroshige Museum
- Kunozan Toshogu Shrine
- Heda Bay
- Shizuoka is recognized for its agricultural industry, specifically its tea production.
- It is also a significant hub for manufacturing, with corporations manufacturing automobiles, electronics, and machinery.
- Due to its proximity to the Pacific Ocean, the fishing industry is also crucial in the area.
- Moreover, Shizuoka’s natural beauty and historical landmarks like Mount Fuji and the Tokaido Road have contributed to a thriving tourism industry in recent years.
- Tokaido Road: Shizuoka was an important stop on the Tokaido Road, which connected Tokyo to Kyoto during the Edo period (1603-1868).
- Battle of Sekigahara: The Battle of Sekigahara took place in 1600 near present-day Hamamatsu in Shizuoka. It was a decisive battle that led to the establishment of the Tokugawa shogunate.
- Ieyasu Tokugawa: Ieyasu Tokugawa was a powerful daimyo who played a key role in Japanese history and founded the Tokugawa shogunate. He had his castle in Sunpu, now part of Shizuoka City.
- Perry Expedition: In 1854, American Commodore Matthew Perry arrived at Shimoda port in Shizuoka Prefecture with his black ships, demanding that Japan open its ports to foreign trade.
- Mt. Fuji: Mt. Fuji is located on the border between Yamanashi and Shizuoka Prefectures and is one of Japan’s most iconic symbols.
- Miho no Matsubara: Miho no Matsubara is a scenic pine grove located on the coast of central Shizuoka that has been celebrated by poets for centuries.
- Yoshida Shrine: Yoshida Shrine is a famous shrine dedicated to Emperor Go-Daigo, who unsuccessfully tried to overthrow Kamakura shogunate in 1331.
- Tokyo-Osaka bullet train line opened: The first high-speed railway line between Tokyo and Osaka opened on October 1st, 1964 with stations including Hamamatsu Station in Shizouka prefecture.
- Kunozan Toshogu: Kunozan Toshogu is one of only three shrines in Japan dedicated to the great shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu.
- Suzuki Motor Corporation: The Suzuki Motor Corporation, one of the world’s leading car manufacturers, has its headquarters and a production plant in Shizuoka.
- Sunpu Castle Park is a reconstructed castle and park with historical exhibits and beautiful gardens.
- Sumpujo Park is a historic park with a Japanese garden, tea house, and museum of traditional crafts.
- Shizuoka City Tokaido Hiroshige Museum of Art is an art museum featuring works by the famous ukiyo-e artist Utagawa Hiroshige.
- Kunozan Toshogu Shrine is a beautiful shrine dedicated to the famous samurai leader Tokugawa Ieyasu.
- Nihondaira Zoo is a popular zoo featuring animals from around the world, including pandas and koalas.
- Mishima Skywalk is Japan’s longest pedestrian suspension bridge offering stunning views of Mount Fuji and Suruga Bay.
- Shizuoka Prefectural Museum of Natural History is an educational museum showcasing the natural history of Shizuoka prefecture through interactive exhibits and displays.
- Miho no Matsubara Pine Grove is a scenic coastal area with thousands of pine trees overlooking Mount Fuji in the distance.
- Shimizu Port Tower Observatory Deck offers panoramic views of Shimizu Port and its surroundings from 70 meters above ground level on its observation deck.
- Hamamatsu Castle Ruins Park includes ruins from one on Japan’s most important castles which includes museums about local history as well as cherry blossom viewing spots in springtime.
- Jubilo Iwata is a well-known football team from Shizuoka, founded in 1970. They play in Japan’s top professional football league, J.League, and have won three J.League titles and four Emperor’s Cups.
- Shimizu S-Pulse is another popular football team from Shizuoka that was established in 1991 and also plays in the J.League. They have won one Emperor’s Cup and two J.League Cups.
- Yamaha Jubilo Rugby Football Club is a rugby union team based in Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture, founded by Yamaha Corporation employees in 1953. They compete in Japan’s Top League and have won six championships.
- Oceans FC is an indoor soccer club from Shizuoka City that was established in 2005. They compete at both national and international levels, winning multiple national championships as well as the AFC Futsal Club Championship twice.
- Fujieda MYFC is a semi-professional football team that was formed only recently -in 2010- but has already gained a following due to their success on the pitch at regional level competitions such as The Emperor’s Cup or The All-Japan Regional Football Champions League Tournament where they’ve reached some semifinals or quarterfinals seasons ago.
- Shimoda Yamatokan SC is an amateur soccer club based out of Shimoda City located on Izu Peninsula within Shizouka Prefecture . It has been around since 1988 but it wasn’t until recently that it started making waves on social media thanks to its unique logo design featuring Mount Fuji and a Samurai helmet.
- Shizuoka Festival: This festival is held in April and celebrates the city’s rich history and culture through parades, music performances, traditional dances, and food stalls.
- Shimoda Black Ship Festival: Taking place in May, this festival in the coastal town of Shimoda commemorates Commodore Perry’s arrival with a parade of ships and a stunning fireworks display.
- Hamamatsu Kite Festival: Held in May, visitors can witness giant kites flown by teams competing for prizes while enjoying cultural displays, music performances, and food stalls.
- Fuji Rock Festival: One of Japan’s largest music festivals hosted annually at Naeba Ski Resort near Mount Fuji.
- Yosakoi Matsuri: Every June sees participants performing traditional Japanese dances to modern music while dressed in vibrant costumes at this dance festival.
- Suruga Bay Fireworks Festival: On August 15th each year during Obon season, visitors can enjoy beautiful fireworks over Suruga Bay.
- Shizuoka Sake Fair: Each October features a sake tasting event where visitors can sample local brews from around Shizuoka prefecture.
- Numazu Fish Market Morning Auction Tour: Visitors can experience an early morning auction at one of Japan’s largest fish markets throughout the year followed by a sushi breakfast tour around Numazu City.
Traditional Shizuoka Dishes:
- Shizuoka Oden: a traditional hot pot dish made with various ingredients such as daikon radish, konjac, boiled eggs, and fish cakes.
- Unagi (eel): grilled or steamed eel served with rice.
- Wasabi: a spicy condiment made from the wasabi plant that is often used in sushi and other dishes.
- Sushi: fresh seafood served on top of vinegared rice.
- Shizuoka Ramen: a type of noodle soup made with pork broth and topped with various ingredients such as chashu (braised pork), green onions, bamboo shoots, and nori seaweed.
Popular Restaurants in Shizuoka:
- Sushidokoro Kikuno: a sushi restaurant known for its fresh seafood sourced from local waters.
- Marukatsu Ryori Kappo Nakajima: a traditional Japanese restaurant that serves seasonal dishes using locally sourced ingredients.
- Ishigakiyama Ramen Yokocho: a street food alley that offers various types of ramen noodles from different shops.
- Hamamatsu Gyoza no Ohsho Honten: a chain restaurant that specializes in gyoza (dumplings) filled with pork and vegetables.
- Wasabijaya Restaurant & Farm: a farm-to-table restaurant that serves dishes using fresh wasabi grown on-site at their farm in the mountains of Shizuoka prefecture.
- Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park is a must-visit for nature lovers. It’s situated in Shizuoka and provides breathtaking views of Mount Fuji, hot springs, lakes, and hiking trails.
- Hamamatsu Flower Park is a popular destination known for its seasonal flower displays. The park has an array of gardens such as the rose garden, tulip garden, and herb garden.
- Miho no Matsubara is a picturesque pine grove located along the coast of Shizuoka that offers stunning views of Mount Fuji.
- Sunpu Castle Park is a historical site featuring the remains of Sunpu Castle (the former residence of Tokugawa Ieyasu). The park also houses a museum with exhibits on local history.
- Nihondaira Zoo overlooks Shimizu Port and boasts over 100 species from around the world.
- Suruga Bay Ferry Cruise offers boat tours that showcase dolphins, whales (in season), and scenic views from Suruga Bay’s waters.
- Mishima Skywalk is Japan’s longest pedestrian suspension bridge that provides panoramic vistas over Mount Fuji and Suruga Bay.
- Shuzenji Nature Park is an idyllic nature reserve with hiking trails through forests complete with waterfalls and hot springs where visitors can soak their feet in for free!
